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William P. Karr Obituary

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William Phillip Karr, the son of William and Dora Baker Karr, was born February 20, 1893 at Blue Hill, Nebraska.  He departed this life on Thursday, May 19, 1968 at the Grandview Manor in Campbell, Nebraska at the age of 95 years, 2 months and 29 days.

Bill grew up in the Blue Hill area and received his education attending the Sunny Slope rural School.  On February 25, 1920 he was united in marriage to Mathilda D. Schulz at Red Cloud.  This union was blessed with three sons, Clayton, Norman and Dever; and two daughters, Delores and LaVeda.  They made their home in the Bladen area where they farmed and raised livestock.

Bill always maintained a strong work ethic and enjoyed the time he spent working the land and raising his livestock.  He had a particular fondness of horses.  In later years, Bill looked forward to taking Sunday rides in the car and spending time visiting with his friends and neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mathilda on February 20, 1982; two sons, Clayton and Norman; and two sisters, Blanche Schulz and Hester Schulz.

Left to treasure his memory are his son, Dever Karr and wife, Arlene of Bladen; daughters, Mrs. Delores Krichau and husband, Russell of Bladen and Mrs. LaVeda Berns and husband, Ken of Blue Hill; two daughters-in-law, Betty Karr of Bladen; and Regina Karr of Blue Hill; 19 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; other relatives and his many friends.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, may 21, 1988 from the United Methodist Church in Bladen with the Rev. Lyle Linder officiating.  Gretchen Lovejoy sang “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross” accompanied by Marjorie Lockhart, organist.  The casket bearers were Darrell Karr, Kevin Karr, Garold Karr, Karl Berns, Jim Karr and Keith Pavelka.  Interment was in the East Lawn Cemetery with the Simonson-Williams Funeral Home of Red Cloud in charge of the arrangements.

THANK YOU

We wish to express our sincere thanks to our friends, neighbors and relatives for all the kind deeds and expression of sympathy shown to us in the loss of our loved one, William Karr.  A special thanks to Rev. Linder and to the staff at Grandview Manor for all their care and kindness.  Your thoughtfulness is appreciated. -Mr. and Mrs. Dever Karr and family, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Krichau and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ken Berns and family, Mrs. Betty Karr and family and Mrs. Regina Karr and family.

Jens R. Krichau Obituary

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Jens R. Krichau, a well-known farmer and resident of the Hazard community since 1893 passed away April 6, 1956, after several weeks of serious illness, at the home of his son, Edward, at Ravenna.

Mr. Krichau was born in Solsted, North Slesvig, Denmark, on July 26, 1866, and was 89 years, 8 months of age at his death.  He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

In 1893 he came to America and in September of that year was united in marriage to Anna Rhode and they settled on a farm near Hazard.  To this union was born seven sons and one daughter.  Surviving are five sons, Hans of Carlisle, Ia., Edward, Ravenna, Maurice, Bladen, Arthur, Ravenna and Elmer of Columbia, Iowa; and the daughter, Christina Lovitt of Mason City.  There are also 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

His wife preceded him in death on July 3, 1951.  Also two sons, one in infancy and Peter on August 18, 1938, at the result of an accident.

He was a kind and loving father and grandfather, and was always thoughtful of others.

Funeral services were conducted from hazard Methodist church on Sunday afternoon, with Rev. A.L. Embree officiating.  Pall bearers were all grandsons.  Interment was at Highland Park cemetery, Ravenna.

Anna Rhode Krichau Obituary

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Anna Rhode Krichau was born in Host North Schleswig, Denmark, on Feb. 14, 1868, and passed away at her home in Hazard, July 8, 1951, at the age of 83 years, 4 months and 19 days.  She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith.

In January 1893 she came to America and on Sept. 9, 1893, she was united in marriage to Jens Krichau and settled on a farm near Hazard.  To this union was born seven sons and one daughter.

Surviving are her husband, five sons and one daughter:  Hans of Swan, Ia., Edward of Ravenna, Maurice of Bladen, Christina Lovitt of Mason City, Arthur of Ravenna and Elmer of Swan, Iowa.  Also 15 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  One sister, Hanna Knudsen, of Woodstock, Ill., and one brother, Christ Rhode, of Denmark.

Preceding her in death are two sons, one in infancy and Peter on Augst 18, 1938.

She was a kind and loving mother, wife and grandmother and she was always willing ot help any one in need.

Funeral services were held Friday, July 6th, from the Methodist church in Hazard.  Rev. Lee Brigden, the pastor, was assisted by Rev. E.C. Fad in conducting the service.  Pall bearers were the grandchildren.  Interment was in Highland cemetery at Ravenna.

Attorney Gilham Writes of Another Pioneer

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The older residents of this city were grieved to learn of the death of Otto Skjelver, a farmer who resided northwest of Inavale from 1876 until his death on the 13th of March.  Mr. Skjelver was an unusually intelligent and educated Norwegian, who for many years acted as interpreter between the Scandinavian immigrants and other people of this county.  At that time the Scandinavians constituted a large element in the population of the western part of the county, and the services of Mr. Skjelver were much in demand to instruct his compatriots in the usages and laws to which they must conform in the land of their adoption.

It is not uncommon for persons occupying the positions Mr. Skjelver occupied to take advantage of the ignorance of his countryment, but during his entire life among us there was not even a suspicion that Mr. Skjelver betrayed any trust or confidence reposed in him.  He was the friend, helpful and wise, of the Americans and the ignorant Norsemen, and saw to the best of his ability that the dealings between them all were fair and just.

For many years he served as justice of the peace and general arbiter of the disputes arising in his neigh (article missing) are no longer required.

His daughter, Ada Skjelver, is one of the best educated ladies in the county and for a number of years was principal of the Red Cloud school in the First ward.  During the last few years she has given her father, who has been in failing health, all the care and tenderness of a devoted daughter.

Mr. Skjelver was married in his native town in Oslo, Norway, where he was born on the 14th of April 1849.  After his removal to this county the following children were born to this marriage:  Mrs. Zelma Brentson, of Pemberton, Minnesota, Mrs. Fred Lambrecht, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Olaf Erickson, Albert Skjelver and Otto Skjelver and Ada Skjelver.  His wife passed away January 30th, 1889 since which date his daughter Ada has given him her affectionate care.

His older brother Hans Skjelver came to this county some years before he did, and is still living at an advanced age at Silverton, Oregon.

There are seventeen grandchildren who are mourning the absence of a loved grandfather and all the early settlers of the county who came in contact with him are recalling pleasant memories of his integrity and courteous gentlemanly conduct.

Inavale Pioneer At 94 Still Doctoring Animals

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by Dean Terrill
Southeast Nebraska Bureau

Inavale – The one thing C.M. Wilson never learned about animal doctoring was when to quit.  He is 94.

“Never had a toothache or headache, never saw a day I couldn’t work, yet I never felt better than I do right now,” chuckled the colorful Webster Countian.  “I’ve got 15 cattle to dehorn even tomorrow.”

Mostly, however, Con is at leisure that he splits between his ranch north of town and the Inavale grocery of his son Francis.  Customers never tire of his recollections of the early prairie life.

Indians still camped along the Republican when Wilson’s parents broke their first sod within arrow shot of his present home.  Their Virginia-born son, four when they came west, recalls his bewilderment when first seeing “a woman with a blanket that wiggled on her back.”

“All there was around here then were grasshoppers and rattlesnakes, and deer and antelope and now and then a buffalo,” the oldster continued.

Loved Animals

A boyhood love of animals brought an apprenticeship under a “school-trained veterinarian,” and what Con didn’t learn there he picked up in 73 years of practice.  Lack of a degree made no difference to farmer he called by name for 20 miles around.

“The state offered me a permit a couple of times, but I always told them I’d soon be quitting,” the widower reflected.  “I did sort of quit after I got my holding up to 21 quarter-sections – but there still is livestock to vaccinate and all.”

Buying a Model T from “the first load that came to Campbell,” Wilson added even more to his clientele.  The days were as long as ever, but at least the rides were warmer.

‘$5 Too High’

“One time I walked a mile when it was 42 below, hitched up a team and then drove 14 miles in a buggy,” he recalled.  “I hated the cold, and the only real complaint I ever got was when I went out in zero weather for a cow that was calving.  The owner said $5 was too high, but in that weather I wouldn’t have taken off my coat for any less.”

Butchering (“only 35 minutes to skin a hog”) and his own cattle raising added to his responsibilities.  Hunting and fishing in the game-rich valley were principal diversions.

“I bet I’ve killed more ducks and geese than anyone in this part of the country,” he continued, “and I know I’ve cut more colts – up to 250 a year.”

Treats for Friends

His “sport” these days derives from frequent visits to the Inavale Care Home, armed with treats for his many old friends.  Young admirers identify him also with handouts of ice cream bars and skating rink tickets.

Deliberately deeding land to his children “so they have to stay,” Wilson is practically a neighbor to all six.  Francis, John, Bus and Mrs. Raymond Meyer all have Inavale addresses, while Mrs. Ardner Hanson and Mrs. Milton Lutz live in Campbell and Bladen, respectively.

There are 15 grandchildren – one of them within months of being a “school-trained vet like I always wanted to be.”  Byron Wilson is to graduate this spring from Kansas State.

“He went with me a lot and I remember one night we made three trips and got home at sunup,” remarked the proud grandfather.  “If that didn’t scare him out of the business, nothing will.”

Source:
The Lincoln Star
Tuesday, Feb. 7, 1967